State Rep. Jewell Jones (D-11th District, left) and his attorney, Byron Nolen, appear in Livingston County Circuit Court for a probation violation hearing June 30.
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — State Rep. Jewell Jones (D-11th District) was sentenced to 30 days in jail for a probation violation, but had the jail time dismissed in exchange for the completion of a treatment program.
Jones’ pled guilty June 30 to violating probation after he tested positive for alcohol on June 1, which prompted him to check into the ShareHouse 30-day program.
The prosecuting attorney at the hearing did not request jail time for Jones.
Livingston County Circuit Judge Michael Hatty said the days Jones served will be credited toward the 30-day sentencing. Jones was set to complete his impatient program July 6.
Jones’ Attorney Byron Nolen told Hatty there was an explanation, not an excuse for the violation.
“He (Jones) had lost his grandmother earlier that morning and that caused him to get depressed and make a bad decision and then he went and got tested June 1,” Nolen said.
“As soon as we found out about the positive results he checked himself into ShareHouse for a 29-day program. He has been there and doing well. So, he made a bad decision and took responsibility for it and tried to get treatment himself so he could come to court today and show that he was proactive in dealing with this issue and the violation.”
Nolen also asked that Jones be allowed to finish his inpatient program, then continue with outpatient programming on a regular basis, however the court sees fit.
Before the sentencing, Jones was given the opportunity to address the court, at which time he apologized and said he made a poor decision.
“I do really appreciate ShareHouse,” he said. “When I got there, we uncovered a few things. I do appreciate the treatment I’ve been in. I’ve been having a great time.
“I learned a lot, not only about the program but also about myself. So, I’m just looking to put this behind me and move forward.”
As part of the sentencing, Jones is required to write a letter of apology to each of the two Michigan State Police officers involved in his drunken driving arrest on April 6, 2021. Jones has one week to send the letters, according to Hatty’s sentencing.
Hatty also requested Jones write an essay on what he learned while at ShareHouse.
The initial case goes back to that April date, where Jones was seen driving his vehicle erratically on I-96 in Fowlerville before leaving the road and coming to a stop in a ditch.
A news release from Livingston County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Carolyn Henry said Jones’ blood-alcohol-level was 0.17 at the time of his arrest, more than twice the .08 limit for legally drunk in Michigan.
State Police officers said that when they arrived, Jones’ pants were undone and he was aiding a vomiting woman who was wearing no pants. Jones reportedly was uncooperative with responding officers and showed police badges instead of identification.
Following various court appearances and bond violations, Jones was sentenced for the drunken driving arrest March 17, to two years of probation under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.
The act allows for Jones’ record to be sealed following the completion of probation.
According to the Associated Press, the act offers grace to young people who make mistakes and have shown the ability to reform their ways. Hattey said at the time, Jones has shown that, since being released from jail, the AP reported.
Hatty also sentenced Jones to 61 days in jail, but that evened out with the 61-day credit for time Jones served last fall. Jones is expected to complete 100 hours of community service and pay court fines and costs.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)